Tamil Nadu: Panic buying grips Madurai as fine rice prices cross Rs90/kg
Panic buying in Madurai pushed fine-rice prices above ₹90/kg amid tight supplies, poor rainfall and reduced production in Tamil Nadu and neighbouring states. Rice millers said prices may remain elevated until January’s harvest, while the state government reported over nine lakh tonnes in reserves for public distribution.
Madurai: Panic buying gripped Madurai over the weekend as fine-rice prices crossed Rs 90 per kg, with reports of further increases triggering queues outside retail shops.
Newspaper reports warning of price increases up to Rs 500 per 25-kg bag, amplified by WhatsApp messages, prompted households to purchase additional stocks.
Tamil Nadu Rice Mill Owners Association held a press conference on Sunday, urging consumers against panic buying and clarifying that the state faced no overall rice shortage.
Association president M R Dinesh Singh told TOI that poor rainfall had affected paddy production, particularly fine varieties such as Ponni, RNR and Sona Masoori. Tamil Nadu depends heavily on Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana for these varieties, while reduced production in the Cauvery delta has further tightened supplies.
“Availability of fine rice in the open market is extremely limited. Even next month, supplies will remain low,” Singh said. He said regular fine rice costs Rs 80–85 per kg, while premium varieties have reached or crossed Rs 90. Coarse and parboiled varieties remain available at lower prices.
“Yes, there is some panic buying. It is contributing to a gradual increase in prices,” he said. Singh said prices could remain elevated until Jan, when the next harvest begins arriving, provided the northeast monsoon supports cultivation.
The state govt, meanwhile, said it had over nine lakh tonnes of rice in reserve, enough to sustain PDS supplies for three months for its seven crore residents.
Singh urged the govt to encourage cultivation of locally suitable fine paddy varieties in the Cauvery delta. “Farmers will receive better prices for their produce, while consumers will be able to purchase their preferred rice varieties at lower prices,” he said.
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Source : The Times of India
